March Break is a great time of the year for families to jet off to some warm place and soak up the rays – along with a million other people. That is why we stay home and have, in fact, not ever traveled far from home during the Spring Break. It is actually a great time of the year in Ontario to have a staycation! A vacation within the comforts of your own city. My philosophy has been why join the crazy throng of people trying to leave the city when it has so much to offer!
I know that the March Break can scare some parents and caregivers because all of sudden they have 8 hours of idle time to fill for their winter weary children. I feel you. I have already been hearing “can we go here on March Break” and “can we do this on March Break” for about a month now. But it really does not have to be an overwhelming experience. Once your kids know they are doing something, anything, they should be fairly content and if not, then make a game out of it and tell them to plan an outing (with your final approval of course.) 
To get you started on planning the best staycation March Break you have ever had, here are eight tips on how to fully enjoy a staycation and all without ever laying eyes on a crazy busy airport. Leave the passports behind, but remember to grab your camera because you are about to make some wonderful memories!
- Immerce yourself in culture, preferably indoors. This is a family favourite and is typically pretty affordable. Take the family to a local museum, gallery or science centre. There will be special programs going on all week long that are perfectly suited to get your kiddos involved and you may find yourself participating too!
- Try a new sport and go snowtubing! My kids recently had the chance to do some snowtubing and they absolutely loved it! Just find a ski resort within driving distance so you can make a day of it. The resort makes it’s snow so even if the temperatures warm up there will still be plenty of the white stuff to keep your tube sliding down the slope. The awesome thing about snowtubing is practically anyone can do it, so your whole family can have fun! Here’s a tip; If you have family members who are motion sensitive, GravolTM Quick Dissolve Chewables (available for kids and adults) are an effective and convenient option to treat nausea, vomiting and dizziness, so you can get there more comfortably and with less worry. (Don’t take GravolTM chewables and drive, as GravolTM Quick Dissolve Chewables may cause cause drowsiness).
- Unwind with a good book. I have always loved to read, but with hectic lives and busy schedules, sometimes we don’t have time for the simple things in life, like reading that novel you have had sitting on your side-table for months. Now is your chance. If you have readers in your family, take advantage of some down time and let your mind be captivated by a new story. Challenge your kids to see who can rehash their own story to the family later on to extend the experience.
- At-home makeovers. Be your own glam squad and treat everyone to a spa day! Even the boys in your family will have fun with some funky colours and who doesn’t love a massage. ♥ Just grab those nail polishes, make-up powders, sparkle eye shadows, styling tools and last but not least…BatisteTM Dry Shampoo! It’s perfect to use between washes and easy to use. Applying quick burst revitalizes hair and removes any excess oil, adding body and texture. With the new limited-edition BatisteTM Ella Henderson Sweet & Seductive Dry Shampoo, you’ll feel like a celebrity, with hair that looks, feels – and smells – great!
- Visit the Sugar Bush. March Break is the perfect time to hike into a sugar bush and see how our delicious Maple Syrup is harvested. You will get outside in the fresh air and learn something to! We have gone maple sugaring every year for as long as I can recall and the kids look forward to it. You will get to sample a sweet treat to round out your day.
- Puzzle Party or Crafty Creations. Start your week off by setting up a large puzzle that your whole family can work on together. Come back to it throughout the week to see who will eventually put in the last piece! Or grab that craft bin and create some beautiful works of art that will adorn your fridge for weeks to come.
- Try new recipes. The March Break can have us feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, inspiring us to tackle that new recipe you or your kids have been wanting to try. Whether it’s a batch of cookies – or a yummy stew – take advantage of your time. It might end up being something you love! In addition to all the good food you’ll cook up, make sure all family members get the get their daily recommended nutrients by taking VitafusionTM Men’s or Women’s Complete Multivitamin and Lil’CrittersTMGummy VitesTM for kids.
- Get outside. Use this relaxing week to visit your neighborhood and take a walk! Some of the ponds are starting to unfreeze so take a stroll over with some bread for the ducks! Or lace up your ice skates and hit the local rink, with the kids and hot chocolate in tow. Don’t forget to take a group selfie!
The Giveaway:
On behalf of your family’s most trusted brands, MapleMouseMama has an awesome staycation giveaway for you to enjoy! One lucky reader will win the following items in a gift basket valued at $80! To enter head to the Rafflecopter below and complete the entries. This giveaway is open to Canadian residents, ages 18 and older. Please read our giveaway rules before entering. This giveaway will end on April 2nd, 2016. Good luck!
- Vitafusion™ Women’s Complete Multivitamin
- Vitafusion™ Men’s Complete Multivitamin
- L’il Critters™ Gummy Vites™
- Ella Henderson for Batiste™ Dry Shampoo
- OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover (not pictured)
- Arm & Hammer™ Truly Radiant Clean & Fresh Paste (not pictured)
- Arm & Hammer™ Spinbrush™ Truly Radiant™ Clean & Fresh Battery Brush (not pictured)
- Arm & Hammer™ Spinbrush™ Paw Patrol Battery Brush (not pictured)
- Arm & Hammer™ Spinbrush™ Disney Descendants Battery Brush (not pictured)
- Nair™ Wax Ready-Strips Legs & Body (not pictured)
What staycation vacation activity is on your list of must dos this year?
FT&PD
Suz
Disclosure: I am a 2016 Church & Dwight Ambassador and have been compensated for this post, however all opinions are my own.
Unwind with a good book is on my list.
We will be getting outside a lot this year. I love exploring our area and finding hidden treasures.
I hope to be sitting on the wharf and dipping my line in the water
The #1 staycation activity this year is growing something in the garden. Being outside and playing in the dirt is such a happy thing to do.
there will be plenty of walks around the neighbourhood, especially as the weather warms up. also, i am blessed with two kids who LOVE to read, so that will not be a problem
We plan to visit some museums.
I’d want to take a trip out to visit the Sugar Bush. I’ve never been!!!
Getting outside is on the top of my list. Love walking the local trails and feeding the ducks along the way.
We plan to go to the Toronto Zoo and Ripley’s Aquarium.
I can’t wait to sit down with a good book. It’s been ages since I read one.
We’ll be getting outside for some hiking!
Hockey Hall of Fame is on our list
Going to the zoo.
I am planning to do a wine tour at Niagara on the Lake.
getting out going for walks
Crafts crafts and more crafts . We also plan on going for a bike ride
Lots of walking out of doors, gardening, followed by book reading.
We are planning on visiting a Maple Syrup farm this year!
I love the at-home makeovers! With three little girls it’ll be fun to get out some makeup and nail polish, dress them up, and even apply some dry shampoo- they’d love that!
I think Getting outside is on my staycation list!! Love just spending time outside with the kids and not having to go anywhere on time for once!
Our grandson will be staying with us for March Break, we’re going to take him to the playground, parks, bike riding, Chapters/Indigo event, Toys R Us shopping, and Bronte Maple Syrup event.
On my list is to attend local farmer’s markets this year. They make for a great Staycation day outing.
avoid: being house-bound if at all possible; do: get out and about. if we have to stay indoors, we will be trying new cookie recipes the kids have chosen and share the cookies with the inner city groups. thanks
I’ll be relaxing reading a good book and enjoying a bit of quiet time
on our list is to go hang out at the forks one day during march break
getting outside and enjoying local activites
We’re sticking close to home this year and we’ll be having some board game and movie nights.
Nothing fun at all, going to start some spring cleaning!!
I’m hoping that weather is good and we can go biking. Would also love to try out some new recipes
I really like the idea of the “Staycation” at home makeovers!
I really like the idea of the “Staycation” at home makeovers! .
geocaching on the trails
I want to go hiking.
We are going to Get outside by going for walks and bike riding.
Watching movies and baking
Going for a shopping trip over the border. Its’s close by.
Some outdoor activities with the kids!
Spend quality time exploring the city.
I’d love to find time to have a diy spa day at home!
I plan a trip to the beach and a hike in the woods
We are staying put, going to the movies and eating out.
we plan on going out alot more, more family trips.
We like to go hiking on the trails outdoors.
The StayCation activites we will be doing are walks and card games.
Just going to the park with the kids
making some crafts and going outside
to teach my daughter how to do her own laundry! Yay.
We’re hoping to go to one of the nature trails and check it out. We haven’t been since the snow fell.
My kids are learning how to skate so we will be hitting the ice rink.
My daughter and I are going to do the at home spa day..she’s pretty excited about it.
Spending time with the grandkids doing crafts and going to the pool.
For me it would be soaking in a hot bath and reading my book and ignoring the animals that decide to visit while I’m in there
Coloring
Unwinding with a good book is on my list of to do’s this year.
We are looking to check out the new exibit at our local art gallery!
Go to the sugar bush,go bowling and go to the movies.
Do some Auctions and find some things we need for the house
I’d like to take my son to a play this year.
Checking out some local attractions ans shows
Go for a walk or hike at your local sites and visit the library and then relax with a good book
We are visiting a Maple Sugar Bush this week!
We’ll be doing a lot of skating this year. Although not outside, too warm!
At home makeovers sounds great!
We’re going to have a candlelight dinner with the kids. Also rapunzle castles are in the program for this afternoon.
I want to try out some of the local cuisine.
We love going to the maple sugar bush and helping to collect the sap to make maple sugar.
This is our #1 staycation fun thing to do.
Ripley’s Aquarium is a first on our list!
Going to Ripley’s Aquarium!!
Visithing the local swimming pools!
Growing a Great Garden of fresh Veggies!
Spend a day at the zoo and then do some crafts at home.
we have a great day hike planned
I am SLEEPING IN for this Staycation. I highly recommend it!
Hibernating ’til Spring! 
My staycation is Netflix
Just a relaxing time at home for me, I just started to colour and it’s very relaxing
We are hoping to visit all the waterfalls that are in our area!
Enjoying going for walks with the family.
Unwind with a good book.
Local Museums and activities at local libraries
We plan to visit some museums and go to the movies with the grandchildren
Curling up with a good book
We are planning to hike the new trail near our house.
Our cottage is less than an hour away so we’re heading up there for a few days unless it snows again!
seeing the movie zootopia, and the childrens musuem, a trip to the library…so far all three have been done…
I want to spend a weekend in the Fantasyland Hotel at West Edmonton Mall.
spring clean
Cozy up with a good book sounds great to me.
Love to read a good book
spend time outside
I’m just going to finish up some crafts that have been cluttering up the place.
We want to do a road trip to the BC coast
definitely at-home makeovers and to try some new recipes
We go to the park!
Read a good Book!
Swimming at the local pool is on the list!
watching movies, doing crafts and reading
The photos look awesome! I still have to go to a place where there is natural snow. I’ve only been to a theme park with a winter section. I’d love to slide down that slope.
I like to sit outside and read a great book
Get some fresh air and exercise by geocaching around town.
We love Geocaching!!
Visiting our local museums and heading out for a hike in the ravines around Toronto.
Staycation is fishing in the local lake!
My stay cation involve cleaning, organizing, crafting, preparing for my upcoming wedding (a ton of DIY projects)
Watching movies and reading. Doing crafts with my kids is also on the list.
Golfing at the local course everyday
very little snow in NS so we will be doing some hiking
Shoveling the Driveway
We are going to check out the reservoir and see what is coming up.
My Staycation is building a new Privy at the cabin
Staycations means having the time to try new recipes and inviting friends over to enjoy them
Our staycation is playing games and going for lots of walks no matter what the weather!
My staycation is a week at the cabin with Golf & Fishing every day
Painting the house this Staycation
Picking Saskatoon Berries this Staycation
Hubby’s family is coming from NS to spend a week with us in Ontario, so we actually have a lot of plans for our staycation! The thing I’m most looking forward to is going to Ripley’s Aquarium! I’ve heard great things about it, but I have not been there yet.
Getting outside is at the top of my list!
Fishing at the local lake
We are doing a movie marathon.
We plan to visit some museums.
Rearrange my pantry and try out some Pinterest recipes!
taking kids on a hike, swimming and lots of crafts planned
Preparing the Yard and Garden for summer this Staycation #STAYCATION
Take the family fishing!
Day trips to surrounding towns & Cities
Get outside and enjoy some geocaching
Going skating would be on my staycation to do list but the ice has gone and melted, and the weather can’t decide if it’s warm or not, and i can’t decide which jacket to weat
I’m having a baby in June, so the whole summer will be a staycation with my family.
For those rainy days, we are going to have a girls’ movie night sleepover.
Painting the fence this Staycation! (in between Golf games)
We love exploring our own city and will be going to the national gallery this weekend
we made a donation and visited the local museum, it had great stuff about the local history
We went to the movies, went shopping made homemade pizza and played board games.
Cleaning the house and getting ready for the weekend
the secret word is silver
reading all the new books I got for Christmas
My Staycation is catching up on long overdue Household Repairs & chores!
I’m having a Garage sale for my Staycation this year!
I’ll be gardening on my Staycation!
Golf and berry picking for my staycation
Netflix binging on my favorite series’ for my Staycation